Death stalks the fogbound streets of Victorian London: young women are going missing, horribly mutilated bodies are found floating in the Thames and criminal gangs terrorize the innocent. At the heart of this tangled web sits the mysterious Li H'sen Chang, sorcerer and hypnotist, and his grotesque sidekick Mister Sin. The Doctor dons deerstalker hat and cape to seek out the sinister force lurking in the shadows of the metropolis, for the Talons of Weng-Chiang are reaching out to shred the human race.
| Actor | Role |
|---|---|
 Tom BakerThe Doctor | The Doctor |
 Louise JamesonLeela | Leela |
 Christopher BenjaminHenry Gordon Jago | Henry Gordon Jago |
 Trevor BaxterProfessor Litefoot | Professor Litefoot |
 John BennettLi H'sen Chang | Li H'sen Chang |
| MMichael SpiceWeng-Chiang (Magnus Greel) | Weng-Chiang (Magnus Greel) |
 Deep RoyMr. Sin | Mr. Sin |
 David McKailSergeant Kyle | Sergeant Kyle |
| AAlan ButlerBuller | Buller |
| CChris GannonCasey | Casey |
 Conrad AsquithPC Quick | PC Quick |
| PPatsy SmartGhoul | Ghoul |
| TTony ThenLee | Lee |
| JJohn WuCoolie | Coolie |
| JJudith LloydTeresa | Teresa |
| VVaune Craig-RaymondCleaning Woman | Cleaning Woman |
| PPenny ListerSinger | Singer |
 Dudley SimpsonConductor (uncredited) | Conductor (uncredited) |
 Vincent WongHo | Ho |